The Women’s March Isn’t the Only March on Washington this Weekend

Donald Trump has officially been sworn in as the President of the United States. The people of the United States are not here for it.

Image by the Washington Post.

Marginalized populations all over the country are letting it be known that they will not stand behind Donald Trump during his time in the White House, nor do they care to celebrate his election. However, this does not mean all protestors are completely unified.

For example, many women of color are suspicious of the the Women’s March on Washington taking place on Saturday January 21, because critics say it subscribes to “white feminism.” Rumors that speakers such as Amy Schumer, Madonna, and Gloria Steinem were headlining the march didn’t help that reputation. But the name of the march was inspired by the organizing efforts of Black women in the 1960s and again in the 1990s. Although the march’s agenda has been edited to be more inclusive, and the lineup of confirmed speakers has included prominent activists such as Janet Mock, Angela Davis and LaDonna Harris, the days leading up to the march has left a bad taste in many people’s mouths.

White feminists see their fight for equality in terms of issues such as eliminating the pay gap, fighting for reproductive rights and pushing back against rape culture. Although these are important issues, millions of non-white American women are putting in major work to fight for the right to safely exist in this country. They are addressing issues such as criminalization, police brutality, racial profiling, deportation and xenophobia. Civil rights group Disrupt J20 is committed to civil rights and justice for America’s most marginalized groups and is hosting a series of anti-Trump direct actions. Here’s a clip from one of their protests earlier this morning:

Meanwhile, another demonstration was held today titled: “Women of Color Protect the Land, Water, and Housing For All of Us.” According to Mic.com, this demonstration consisted of “Hundreds of Indigenous leaders, veterans, climate and housing activists from across the country” marching from the Department of Energy to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on inauguration day to “to defend the land, water, bodies and homes from tremendous threats posed by the incoming administration.”

Image by the New Yorker.

Image by NBC News.

For any white women participating in protests or marches this weekend, remember the women who have the most at stake in this new administration. Listen to, acknowledge and shield us — we’ve had to fend for ourselves for too long without your support. Although the issues that white women and women of color advocate for are worlds apart, you still have time to learn from us. Now is the time to highlight and uplift America’s most vulnerable populations and help to create a shield of resistance in Trump’s America. That being said, women of color aren’t waiting on white feminism to take action; they are placing themselves in the front lines right now. Take a look.

Heather was born in Chicago and raised in Pasadena, California and proudly claims Oakland as her adopted home. She has a B.A. in African-American Studies from Smith College (proud Smithie), and a Masters in Education Leadership from New York University. Heather's spent the past decade working in the field of educational equity and advocacy. She currently teaches Child and Adolescent Development at San Francisco State University and manages a blog called What's Happening Black Oakland? She also contributes to Blavity, a blog for black millennials.
Heather's committed to writing interesting and relevant stories that aren't being covered by the mainstream media, while straying away from the single story that is usually imposed on people of color. In her free time she enjoys traveling and going to live shows.